Tax label



Nov. 26, 1940. F w, HUMPHNER 2,223,106

mx LABEL Filed oct. 11. 1959 @www/5 vPatented Nov. :26, i940 UNITED TTES PATENT OFFICE 'EAX LABEL lFerdinand W. llumphner, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Mid- States Gnmmed Paper Co., Chicago, llll., a corporation of Delaware Application October Il, 1939, Serial No. 299,015

5 Claims.

vl cancellation or voiding. Other specific objects or advantages will appear as the specication proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, ina preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in l Which- Figure l is a side view in elevation of a tax label or stamp embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a reduced plan view of the paper base bearing thereon the printed word cancelled, the structure above the paper base and printing having been removed.

Many methods have heretofore been proposed for preventing the reuse of labels and stamps, etc. Practically all of such methods involve complicated structures which involve difliculties in manufacture and which represent substantial expense. I have found that an extremely accurate and reliable label can be produced while using ordinary printing and label forming means and that a very simple structure can be produced which is more accurate and effective in operation for indicating cancellation, While at the same time eliminating the complicated devices heretofore thought necessary.

In the practice of my invention, I provide a paper base of any suitable type. For example, a standard paper base of approximately 50 pound weight, 25 by 38, classed as book paper, and which, normally sized for printing, has been found satisfactory. I have also found satisfactory a Water leaf paper of equivalent weight, as well as many other kinds and types-of paper.

Upon the paper base I imprint a word indicating cancellation or voiding. This imprint is made in an oil pigment of ink or in any other suitable water-insoluble-or resistant ink.

After the printing of the cancellation mark has thoroughly dried, I then apply a coating of starch or dextrine, or any other suitable water-soluble adhesive, so that the adhesive completely covers the printed area as well as the imprinted area on the sheet. Such a coating is applied in the usual manner and allowed to dry.

To the dry surface of the starch or dextrine coating I next apply a coating consisting of a (ci. ass-io) starch b ase and pigment, preferably together with a pasticizer, the coating being applied by the usual methods. It will be understood that any suitable opaque or color layer which will conceal the cancellation mark and which also contains 5 a water-soluble binder, causing the layer to break up upon the application of water, may be employed.

The paper is next subjected to a calendering operation to give it a smooth, even surface for 10 printing. If desired, the iinal print may be made directly upon the pigmented layer. I prefer, however, to first print upon the pigmented layer identification printing which, while not prominent, extends entirely across the label and serves 15 as a background means for identifying the label. The final print is then placed over the identification printing.

To enable the label to be applied to 'a surface such as a barrel, bottle or other container, the 20 lower side of the paper base is provided with waterproof adhesive, suchas, for example, a rubber adhesive or an adhesive known as a pressure sensitive adhesive, or any adhesive with la rate of solubility slower than starch or dextrine. 25

While I have set out above certain materials forming the desired layers, it will be understood that other materials well known in the art may be readily substituted. For example, in forming the colored or pigmented layer, clay may be com- 30 bined with the starch or clay and casein may be combined or various other obvious substitutes employed.

In the operation of the device, the label is afxed to the container by means of the water- 35 proof adhesive. After use, should anyone attempt to remove the label for reuse and follow the usual practice of attempting to soak off the label, the soaking is resisted by the waterproof adhesive and at the same time, the water dissolves the 40 starch or dextrine layer and also the watersoluble adhesive in the clay or pigmented-layer. The result is that the pigmented layer breaks up and the water-soluble adhesive layer aids in releasing the colored layer. Thus, the imprinting on the paper base indicating cancellation or voiding becomes visible. It is impossible, therefore, to reuse the label.

It will be noted that the operation of con- 50 structing the label is extremely simple and that it follows merely the usual printing and coating'- methods employed in the industry, with the result that the labels can be formed expeditiously and at very small expense. In use, the labels in- 55 dicate rapidly and with accuracy the voiding of the stamp so that the same cannot be reused.

While in the foregoing description, I have set i'orth certain details of structure and use, for the purpose of illustration, it will be understood that such details may be varied widely without departing from the spirit oi' my invention.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details oi' construction shown anddescribed, for obvious modiications willoccur to a. person skilled in the art.

I/claim:

1. A label or the like comprising a paper base, printing thereon in water-insoluble ink indicating cancellation, a water-soluble adhesive and light impermeable pigmented layer extending over and concealing said printing, and a nal print on said pigmented layer.

2. A label or the like comprising a paper base. printing thereon in water-insoluble ink indicating cancellation, an opaque layer extending over and concealing said printing and containing a watersoluble binder, identiication printing on said opaque layer, and a ilnal print over said identiilcation printing. v

3. A label or the like comprising a'paper base provided on its lower sid..- with adhesive. printing on the upper \side thereof in Water-insoluble ink indicating cancellation. a water-soluble adhesive layer over said printing, a pigmented opaque layer containing'water-soluble adhesive over said last mentioned adhesive layer, and a ilnal print on said pigmented layer.

4. A label or the like comprising a paper base provided on its lower side with a waterproof adhesive, printing in waterproof ink on the upper side of said paper base indicating voiding oi the label, and a water-soluble adhesive and pigmented opaque layer extending over and concealing said printing, said layer being adapted to break up upon the application of water thereto, and a final print on said pigmented layer.

'5. A label or the like comprising a paper base, printing thereon in water-insoluble ink indicating cancellation, a water-soluble adhesive layer over said paper base and printing, an opaque layer over said adhesive layer, and a final print on said opaque layer.

v v FERDINAND W. HUMPHNER.. 

